USA: Manassas debuts electric vehicle charging stations

MANASSAS, Va. —
Manassas hybrid and electric car owners now have a new way to keep their cars going.

The city recently debuted four charging stations at Manassas utilities, 8500 Public Works Drive, Manassas Museum at 9101 Prince William St., City Hall at 9027 Center St., and the VRE parking garage, 9102 Prince William St., according to Mike Moon, director of public works and utilities in Manassas.

The new devices can charge an electric or hybrid vehicle in about 4 to 6 hours, according to ChargePoint America, vendor of the stations.

The devices are installed in front of parking spaces specially reserved for electric and hybrid vehicles. For $5, owners can insert an electrical socket, which is similar in shape to a gas nozzle, into a receptacle on their car to refresh their batteries.

Moon said the city paid $5,000 each for installation of the stations with funds from an American Recovery Act grant.